Wrist-based systems and methods to carry mobile device(s)

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile device, among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to enclose the mobile device and a system to wear the apparatus on a wrist. The systems comprised of the case; a case tether coupled to the case; a base to couple with a wristband tether which in turn coupled to a wrist brace, a finger ring to loop around a finger and a case lock to secure the case in a closed position. Also presented, a method to carry and use the device while tether to a wrist.

BACKGROUND

The present invention pertains to wrist-based systems and methods tocarry mobile device(s).

Personal electronic devices have become extremely popular, providingon-the-go entertainment and data access as well as mobile phone service.Other personal electronic devices such as music players and videoplayers have also gained in use and popularity.

Personal electronic devices are often carried in a pocket or purse, ormay be attached to a holster attached to a belt. While some cases mayoffer protection alone, this protection often fails to provide quickaccess, ease of use and may take up room in a pocket or handbag.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are disclosed to conveniently carry a mobile device,among others, on a wrist brace. The system includes a case to secure themobile device; the case having a housing for the coupling of a wristattachment system; and the method to carry the case on the wrist and afinger by hanging the device from the wrist attachment system, and thenlocked and move the device into a stowed position on the underside of auser's wrist.

The wrist attachment system comprises a case to enclose the mobiledevice, the case having an opening adapted to receive a case tetherhaving a housing portion; a base flexibly coupled to case tether; awrist brace tether and a finger ring coupled to slots on the base; and acase lock to secure the case in a closed position.

Implementations of this aspect may include one or more of the following.A finger ring can be worn on a finger and secured to the base. A wristbrace can be worn on a wrist and slidably coupled to the wristbandtether. During use, the mobile device is inserted into the case. Next, auser slips his/her finger into the finger ring. The user then wears thewrist brace and secures the case to the wrist of the user. In order toprovide the best viewing and typing angles, the device flexibly allowsthe Case to:

1. pivot up;2. pivot from side to side;3. rotate 360 degrees; and4. allow for further flexibility a hinge on the Tether-housing allowsthe housing to go up and down.

To offer further mobility and with the use of the Tether-housing, theCase can be detached from the tether. The case can be carried around onits own without attaching to the palm.

The above embodiment supports carrying the mobile device while allowsthe hand wearing the wrist brace to perform other tasks.

The carrying devices described above provides for an efficient andconvenient apparatus for carrying, using, and protecting a personalelectronic device that can be attached to a user's wrist. This method ofcarrying devices on the wrist minimizes the chance of an accidentaldropping of the device and misplacing the device. While working withwater or liquid it minimizes the chance of liquid being spilled onto anddamage the device. If the case were mingled with other personalaccessories in the purse or pocket, scratching the surface of the caseis a real possibility but would be avoided with using the presentsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly to carry amobile device attached to a user's wrist.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly in anunlocked position and in use by a user.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly and withits case detached from its base, along with the finger ring, wrist braceand wristband tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however,that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.

In the following paragraphs, the preferred embodiment will be describedin detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings.Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shownshould be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on thepreferred embodiment and any equivalents thereto. Furthermore, referenceto various feature(s) of the preferred embodiment throughout thisdocument does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods mustinclude the referenced feature(s).

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly to carry amobile device attached to a user's wrist. Case 306 is a case, designedto protect a phone or a mobile device. The case 306 contains a hole 304to accommodate for a camera built-in to the mobile device.

A case lock assembly 320 and a base hinge assembly 316 secure the Case306 to the base 302. In FIG. 1, the case lock assembly 320 is located onthe head of the base 306. The case lock assembly 320 comprises of anunlock switch 322 and two springs within its housing. One of the springswithin the housing raises the case 306 up when it is unlocked from thelocked position. To unlock, a user would press in the unlock switch 322and the case 306 is released from its locked position and raised up. Tolock the case into the closed position, a user would align the case306's lock hole 350 [see FIG. 3] with the half circle hinge lock pin 352[see also FIG. 3] on the half circle hinge 312 and presses the halfcircle hinge 312 down toward the base 302. When it reaches the lockedposition, the case lock assembly 320 locks the half circle hinge 312 andthe case 306 in its closed position. When the unlock switch 322 is notpressed down, the other spring holds the unlock switch 322 extended andin closed position.

The base hinge assembly 316 comprises of a base hinge 314 that attachesa half circle hinge 312 to the base 302, the half circle hinge 312 holdsthe Case 306 by a case tether 310 and a tether-housing 308. The basehinge 314 allows the mobile device to rotate on one axis and to move upand down while the half circle hinge 312 allows the mobile device tomove in another axis and to move from side to side in the user's hands.The half circle hinge 312 also allows the Case to pivot hundred-eightydegrees. The case tether 310 is allowed to rotate freely. Case tether310 can rotate three hundred and sixty degree on its axis and is beingretained by the half circle hinge 312; the other end is jointed with thetether-housing 308 via a tether-housing-hinge 354 [see FIG. 3]. Thetether-housing-hinge 354 offers further usage flexibility due to itsability to enable the tether-housing 308 to move up and down. Thetether-housing 308 is then tied to the case 306 by a lock pin 336 andfixed pin 332 (FIG. 3), which are inserted into a raised rim 326 on thecase 306. The tether-housing 308 allows the Case 306 to rotate 360degrees. These features allow the user to type, take pictures, andcomplete other activities with ease.

Base 302 secures the Case 306 to a user's wrist with several components.A finger ring 318 holds the base 302 to a user's finger. On the otherside, a wristband tether 328 and a wrist brace 330 secures the base 302to a user's wrist. The wrist brace 330 can include a wristband and astrap slidably coupled to the wrist. The wrist brace 330 is pivotablyand rotatably coupled to one end of the case.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly in anunlocked position and in use by a user. In FIG. 2, the user is typing onthe mobile device or phone (not shown) with the user's finger. The Case306 is allowed to swivel by the tether-housing 308 (see FIG. 1). Theinside of the raised rim 334 coupled with the fixed pin 332 and the lockpin 336 [see FIG. 3] of the tether-housing 308 to lock the Case 306 intoplace, while allowing the Case 306 to freely rotate.

The case lock assembly 320 releases the edge of the Case 306 into theopened position and allows for free movement of the case 306 and mobiledevice. Base hinge assembly 316 [see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3] confines theCase 306 while it is in its facedown position. The base hinge 314 andthe half circle hinge 312 [see FIG. 1 and FIG. 3] locks the case 306onto the base 302, and allows for the swivel movement of the Case 306.While the Case is upright, the slots 338 for wristband tether 328 arerevealed. These slots 338 secure the wristband tether 328 to the base302. In turn, the wristband tether 328 is secured to the wrist brace330. Finger ring 318 and Wrist brace 330 works together to keep the base302 in place. As the figure demonstrates, the apparatus allows for agreat range of movement of the mobile device. All of the hingeassemblies 316, 320, 354, 308 and case tether 310, work in combinationto allow the mobile device to be moved to many positions for texting,pictures, video viewing, etc. by a user.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary apparatus with a case lock assembly and withits case detached from its base, along with the finger ring, wrist braceand wristband tether. The case 306 is not connected to thetether-housing 308, therefore revealing the space that is reserved forlock pin 336 and fixed pin 332. The fixed pin 332 and lock pin 336 hooksonto the underside of the raised rim 326 to lock the mobile device intoplace on the tether-housing 308. Since the lock pin 336 and fixed pin332 hook inside the case, appropriate pin space 340 [see FIG. 2] is tobe reserved for the pins.

To attach the Case 306 to a tether-housing 308, a user would press inthe tether-housing unlock lever 307 which in turn retrieve the lock pin336 into the tether-housing 308, and place the tether-housing's bottomhalf into the raised rim 326 of the case 306. Releasing thetether-housing unlock lever 307 will extend the lock pin 336 and willlock the tether-housing 308 onto the raised rim 326, thus locking theCase 306 in place. To release the case 306 from the tether-housing 308,a use must press the tether-housing unlock lever 307. Doing so willcause the lock pin 336 to depress, which releases the case 306. Case 306can be detached from the tether-housing 308 and be carried and usedseparately.

This figure also shows the case tether 310, wristband tether 328, wristbrace 330 and flexible finger ring 318. The case tether 310 is able torotate three hundred and sixty degrees on a rotary hinge 348 within thehalf circle hinge 312. This provides an even larger range of movement ofthe Case 306. The flexible finger ring 318 is to be worn on user'smiddle finger. The wristband tether 328 is looped and locked in aroundthe wrist brace 330 and the loop can slide around the wrist brace 330.To adjust the length of the wristband tether 328, a user can loop oneend of the wristband tether 328 up or down the end and attach its hooksto the appropriate loops or snap button to its proper receptacle.

This figure also shows the configuration of a wrist brace 330. The Wristbrace 330 is secured to base 302 by a wristband tether 328, whichcoupled with slots 338 on the base 302. Wrist brace 330 would bestrapped around a user's wrist and be secured by two straps of Velcro:one with microscopic hooks 342 and another strip with microscopic loops344. The wrist brace 330 wraps around the user's wrist as shown inFIG. 1. and FIG. 2.

Tethers 210, 218, 228 and wrist brace 230 may be fabricated from anysuitable material or a combination of webbing, leather, fabric, plastic,a strap, a string, a ring, cloth or rubber band or synthetic materials.

The mechanism of the closures 228, 242 and 244 of wrist brace 230 in oneembodiment is comprised of a strap loop, a band with Velcro type ofloops on one side and hooks on another, a belt and a buckle, a buttonand buttonhole or a snap button and receptacle type of configurations.In another embodiment, the coupling is comprised of threaded loop andstitching/gluing and clips. Other embodiments may be by a variety ofmeans to accomplish the task of coupling. The wrist brace 230 ispivotably and rotatably coupled to one end of the base.

In order to provide the best viewing and typing angles, the deviceflexibly allows the Case to:a) pivot up and down.b) pivot from side to side andc) rotate 360 degrees

To offer further mobility and with the use of the Tether-housing, theCase can be detached from the case tether. The case can then be carriedaround on its own without attaching to the palm. The above embodimentsupports carrying the mobile device with or without coupling with afinger ring while allows the hand wearing the case attached to a wristto perform other tasks. During use, the mobile device is inserted intothe case housing which is secured to the base. Next, a user slipshis/her finger into the finger ring that secures the base to the finger.The user then wears the wrist brace and secures it to the wrist of theuser.

The apparatus described above provides for an efficient and convenientapparatus for carrying, using and protecting a personal mobile devicesuch as a cell phone or camera attached to a user's wrist. The deviceincorporates a case which provides protection for the personalelectronic device and a wrist attachment to allow the user to move thedevice into position for use, rotate and extend the device as needed foruse, and then move the device into a stowed position on the underside ofa user's wrist.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notof limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example ofthe preferred embodiment, which is done to aid in understanding thefeatures and functionality that may be included in the embodiment. Thepresent system is not restricted to the illustrated example designs orconfigurations, but the desired features may be implemented using avariety of alternative designs and configurations. Indeed, it will beapparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logicalor physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented toimplement the desired features of the present apparatus. Additionally,with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and methodclaims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall notmandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recitedfunctionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the above system is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood thatthe various features, aspects and functionality described in one or moreof the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability tothe particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead maybe applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of theother embodiments, whether or not such embodiments are described andwhether or not such features are presented as being a part of adescribed embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present systemshould not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read asrequiring that each and every one of those items be present in thegrouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or”should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, butrather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of theinvention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural iscontemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to thesingular is explicitly stated.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and may further be distributedacross multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

The foregoing description of various disclosed embodiments is providedto enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. The description is not intended to be limited to theembodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Various modifications and alterations of the above apparatus will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims.It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do notnecessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations inperforming the steps from the order in which they are recited. Inaddition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, orcomponent provides the basis for claims where the absent feature orcomponent is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to carry a mobile device,comprising: a case to enclose the mobile device having an opening for atether-housing; a case tether adaptably coupled to a base on one end andthe other end to the tether-housing; a base with a base hinge assembly,a case lock, slots to accept a finger ring and a wristband tether; afinger ring sized to be wearable on a finger; a wristband tetherslidably coupled to a wrist brace and comprising of a flexible strap;and a wrist brace slidably coupled to the wrist.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, comprising a tether-housing adaptably coupled to the case'sopening with the ability to lock and unlock from the case and allow thecase to rotate three hundred and sixty degrees.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, comprising a case tether securely coupled to tether-housing onone end and adaptably retained within the half circle hinge of the basehinge assembly on the other end. The case tether is allowed to rotatethree hundred and sixty degrees on its axis and to pivot from left toright while coupled to the half circle hinge.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, comprising a base having a base hinge assembly adaptably and securelyretaining one end of the case tether, comprising: a base hinge to allowthe case to pivot from up to down; and a half circle hinge to allow thecase to pivot from left to right.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising a base having a case lock to keep the case in a closedposition;
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a flexible finger ringthat holds the apparatus to a user's finger.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, comprising a flexible wristband tether that forms a loop around thewrist brace and the loop slides along the wrist brace.
 8. The apparatusof claim 1, comprising a wrist brace secured to the base by a wristbandtether.
 9. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wrist brace is strappedaround a user's wrist and is secured by: two straps of one withmicroscopic hooks and another strip with microscopic loops or the wristbrace can also be secured by a belt and a buckle, a button and abuttonhole, a snap button and a receptacle or any other coupling devicethat can secure the wrist brace to the wrist.
 10. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the finger ring, the wristband tether and wrist brace arefabricated using a material or a combination of materials from the groupconsisting of: leather, metal, webbing, strap, fabric, plastic, cloth,rubber and/or synthetic materials.
 11. A method of carrying a mobiledevice or cell phone, comprising: inserting the mobile device into acase, wherein the case having a tether-housing adaptably coupled to acase tether; the case tether is adaptably coupled to a base hingeassembly on the base; a base having a case lock and couplings for awristband tether and a finger ring; one end of a wristband tetherslidably coupled to a wrist brace and the other to the base, thewristband tether and wrist brace are comprising of flexible straps; afinger ring sized to be wearable on a finger; a case lock to keep thecase in a closed position; and a wrist brace slidably coupled to thewrist; and attaching and securing the apparatus to a wrist.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, comprising securing the apparatus to a finger. 13.The method of claim 11, comprising rotating the mobile device carried inthe apparatus to view and face the images omni-directionally to a user.14. The method of claim 11, comprising flexibly extending the case fromthe palm of the hand to a comfortable viewing position.
 15. The methodof claim 11, comprising protecting the mobile device from misplacement;fracturing due to accidental dropping and unforeseeable scratchingdamages while being enclosed by the case by wearing the apparatus on auser's wrist.